Child P
The prosecution’s theory: Air into stomach.
Outcome: Died 24 June 2016
Gestation: Triplet 1, male; 33+2 weeks, 2.066 kg (preterm)
Sensitivity note: court-imposed lifelong anonymity covers every family. We use the court-assigned code only. See our families and witnesses sensitivity policy.
Prosecution theory
Air into stomach.
Method alleged: Air-in-stomach via NG tube.
Prosecution experts: Dr Dewi Evans; Dr Sandie Bohin.
Panel view (Feb 2025)
Panel: died from a pneumothorax that was suboptimally managed. No evidence of air injection into the stomach or into the intravenous line.
Pathology
Panel conclusion: Baby 16 died from a pneumothorax that was suboptimally managed; there was no evidence of air injection into the stomach or into the intravenous line. The Panel's general findings on the unit include poor skills in basic procedures such as the insertion of chest drains.
Natural-cause alternatives identified
- Pneumothorax, suboptimally managed — the Panel's stated cause of death
- Poor skill in chest-drain insertion, identified in the Panel's findings on the unit
What the jury did not hear
- The Panel's conclusion that the death was caused by a suboptimally managed pneumothorax.
- That the Panel found no evidence of air injection into the stomach or the intravenous line.
Key primary sources
- International Expert Panel — Additional 10 Cases report (June 2025), Panel Baby 16: https://lucyletbyinnocence.com/shoo-lee/International%20Expert%20Panel%20New%20Summary%20Report%20of%20additional%2010%20cases.pdf
- R v Letby sentencing remarks (August 2023)
- lucyletby.org 'Triplets to Singletons' research
Read the full long-form analysis →
Sources:
- Court of Appeal judgment (May 2024) and sentencing remarks — judiciary.uk
- Shoo Lee International Expert Panel Report (February 2025) — lucyletbyinnocence.com
- Per-baby trial evidence archive — lucyletbyinnocence.com
This page uses only the court-assigned code and publicly reported facts. The court imposed lifelong anonymity on every family; this site does not contact families and does not speculate about private circumstances.